Remains located 13 years ago in Sydney's south have been formally identified as those of Sydney man, Mark Johnston.
Mr Johnston, aged 36, was last seen by friends leaving a licensed premise on Hargrave Street, Paddington, about 7pm on Monday 1 September 1986.
It is believed Mr Johnston then attended a home in Dover Heights; however, he was never seen or heard from again.
Despite exhaustive investigations by local police and Homicide Squad detectives at the time, no one was charged in connection to Mr Johnston's death.
A coronial inquest in May 1999 found that Mr Johnston had died on Monday 1 September 1986 at Dover Heights.
In 2007, police located human remains at Kurnell which were seized for forensic examination, however were unable to be identified.
Following significant technological advancements and through the implementation of new systems, the bones were subject to further forensic examination last year.
In November 2019, the bones were identified as Sydney man, Mark Johnston, and a report was submitted to the Coroner for formal identification.
Last month, the Coroner returned findings indicating the bones had been formally identified as 36-year-old Mark Johnston.
Mr Johnston's family have been informed of the developments and the bones will be returned to the family.
The investigation into Mr Johnston's death remains open and under the responsibility of the State Crime Command's Homicide Squad.
Strike Force Brompton has since been established to reinvestigate the circumstances surrounding his death.
Anyone with information that may assist Strike Force Brompton investigators is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence.
